Last
week we had a great larch hike to Ingalls Lake. The larch were a little
short of peaking but were still very good. The crowd was immense. This
week Gary, Janet, and I went looking for a second and even better larch
hike. John joined us. Recent reports showed that there was about 6
inches of fresh snow in the basin. Add bright sunshine and we had
nearly perfect larch viewing conditions. We met Janet in Monroe at 7:00
am and headed east. Up the road to Lake Wenatchee and then onto the
Chiwawa River Road. This was the first day of the general deer hunting
season so we expected to see lots of hunter camps. Actually there were
some but less than expected. We pulled into the 3550 parking lot at
9:15 am. There were only about 7 or 8 other cars. Several had thick ice
on the windshields. It was definitely sub freezing overnight. Mark and
Nancy (The Zackster) drove in just ahead of us. I had not seen them in
some time.

We were packed up and on the way at 9:33 am. Cold but very clear sky.
After 2/10ths of a mile the Carne trail heads off the Phelps Creek
trail. The trail climbs steadily and the effort allowed us to warm up.
I hiked up this trail with Gary in October 2006 when we did the Carne
High Route. That was another
great larch trip. The trail is in good shape with two trees down. One
is small and an easy step over. The other one is big. We were able to
climb over it but shorter legged folks have cut a trail around it.
Although the route gains. 2600' in just under 3 miles to the basin it
is never overly steep. Just a consistent climb. There are many
switchbacks along the way.

Higher up the trail comes out of the forest. There was some fall leaf
color. There was also some frozen leaf color. A nice benefit of an
early start. As we ascended the views out improved. We could see Mt.
Maude and Buck Mountain from the parking lot. Many more peaks came into
sight, especially above 5500'. Fortress, Chiwawa, and Red Mountains
were covered with fresh snow. Above we could also see the first golden
larch trees of the day. The first of many. There was a thin layer of
packed and icy snow as we reached the basin. It was okay with poles. If
not so close the the basin I might have stopped to but on Yaktrax.

The climbing ends abruptly at 6150' as we entered the basin. I took
1:40 to hike up. Larch, larch, and more larch. The basin is not huge
but there are larch trees packed in all over the slopes. The
combination of blue sky, fresh white snow, and golden larch needles was
outstanding. There were still some trees that were partly green but the
majority were peaking. Higher up in the basin most all the trees were
at their peak. Janet chose to enjoy the lower basin. She had been up to
the summit of Carne Mountain just a few months earlier. John, Gary, and
I headed to the right. We passed two tents and wound our way through
the yellow forest. The low bright sun really lit up the trees.

We made very slow progress. So many larch and so little time. Our route
brought us to an open rocky gully leading up to the ridge top. It was
snow covered. One set of deer tracks led up the slope. We followed. We
cut through more forest to reach the summer trail. It too was packed
snow but not quite as slick as below the basin. We passed one hunter
coming down. All the orange we wore was not that necessary this day
though I wouldn't go out on the first day of hunting season without it.
At the pass we had even more views. Entiat peaks to the east now came
into view. It's a pretty easy slog up to the summit of Carne Mountain
from there.

One hiker was coming down and we were alone when we reached the top.
Quite a bit different from the 70+ folks at Ingalls Lake the week
before. Great views from the top and almost no wind. One thermometer
read 50 degrees and one 45 but it felt warmer in the sun. It was still
a little chilly in the shade. Snowy peaks all around and golden larch
below. A really great summit on this day. Our solitude did not last all
that long. First one group then another and another still. Mark and
Nancy also made it to the top. As we headed down we met the largest
party of the day, an Everett Recreation group.

The hike down to the basin was slow as the lighting was still excellent
for photos. One last break in the basin and we headed down. On the way
we passed a number of groups going up and down. Only one seemed to be
backpacking. We were back to the car at around 4:00 pm. The 6 1/2 hours
hiking was just more than the total driving time. It was decidedly cold
at the trailhead. The warmth of the summit was quickly forgotten. The
drive home was easy with no backups in Sultan.

Each year I hope for a day with sun and golden larch trees. Sometimes
there is even some fresh snow. Getting all three at once is rare.
Getting multiple days like that in one year is very unusual. Gary has
had two years in a row like that. I have had one perfect
weekend last year and two day trips this year. I hope to be lucky again
next year. All in all this was a great day in the mountains.